Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

This edition is packed with updates that dive into the heart of Florida State’s athletic and recruiting efforts, while stirring up a little college football drama to keep things lively. Here’s what we’ve got for you:

🏀 FSU Women’s Basketball Spotlight:
A dominant offensive force takes the court as the Seminoles prepare for a pivotal ACC clash against Virginia Tech. With national scoring leaders and defensive standouts, FSU is primed to keep the momentum rolling.

🛡️ Transfer Portal Reinforcements:
FSU is hosting key prospects this week, including Sam Houston edge rusher Chris Murray, as they continue to rebuild their defensive line. Who’s next to join the ranks?

🌪️ Portal Playbook:
A breakdown of FSU’s transfer activity so far, from major departures to impactful additions. The Seminoles hold the No. 7 Transfer Portal class, with more strategic moves on the horizon.

🐦 Herbstreit Drama on X:
The college football analyst finds himself in another social media storm, sparking debates over playoff picks. Love him or hate him, Herbstreit sure knows how to keep X buzzing.

🏀 FSU Women’s Basketball Gears Up for ACC Clash 🏀

The Florida State women’s basketball team (11-2, 1-0 ACC) hits the road to take on Virginia Tech (9-3, 0-1 ACC) in a pivotal ACC matchup today at 6 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum. With a strong record against the Hokies, the Seminoles look to extend their dominance while maintaining their stellar offensive and defensive momentum.

🌟 Key Matchup Highlights

Historic Edge:
FSU leads the series 31-12 overall and 19-3 as ACC members. However, Virginia Tech has claimed two of the last three matchups, making this a critical showdown.

Offensive Firepower:

• FSU ranks second nationally in points per game (94.9), powered by junior Ta’Niya Latson, who leads the nation with 27.2 PPG.

• Makayla Timpson dominates defensively, ranking second nationally in total blocks (41) and third in blocks per game (3.15).

Broadcast Information:
Catch the game live on the ACC Network or tune in via Seminoles.com and 96.5 The Spear.

🏀 Recap: Victory Over Jacksonville

In their last outing, the Seminoles capped non-conference play with a resounding 97-74 win over Jacksonville on Dec. 19.

• Makayla Timpson led the charge with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and a career-high 8 blocks—tying the program's second-most blocks in a game and marking her seventh double-double of the season.

• O’Mariah Gordon dazzled with 19 points and a career-high 10 assists, contributing to a team effort where five players scored in double figures.

• A decisive 22-2 run to close the first half solidified FSU’s control, allowing the Seminoles to lead by as much as 29 points before Jacksonville's late push.

👉 Read more here

🛡️ FSU Targets Edge Rusher Chris Murray for Defensive Reinforcements 🛡️

Florida State continues its push to fortify its defensive line with the addition of transfer portal talent. Sam Houston edge rusher Chris Murray is set to visit Tallahassee today, marking a significant step in FSU’s efforts to land the experienced pass rusher.

🌟 Murray’s 2024 Highlights

• Productive Season:

  • 50 total tackles

  • 12 tackles for loss (TFLs)

  • 5.5 sacks

  • 34 pressures

• Advanced Metrics: Earned a 78.1 PFF grade, highlighting his disruptive presence off the edge.

🏈 Recruitment Landscape

• In Demand: Murray has drawn offers from Arizona, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri, and Auburn since entering the portal in December.

• Crystal Ball Prediction: Kentucky is currently the frontrunner, with one prediction logged on 247Sports.

🕵️‍♂️ Player Background

• Physical Profile: 6’4”, 255 pounds

• Collegiate Journey: Began his career at TCU in 2021 before transferring to Sam Houston in 2022.

• High School Roots: Played at Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls, Texas.

👉 Read more here

🌪️ FSU’s Transfer Portal Playbook: Key Moves, Visitors, and Needs 🌪️

Florida State is laser-focused on transforming its roster following a challenging 2024 season. With 11 transfer commitments already secured, the Seminoles hold the No. 7 Transfer Portal class in the nation and are gearing up for another wave of portal activity.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of FSU’s portal strategy and what’s next.

🛑 Transfers Out

Since the portal window opened, FSU has seen approximately 20 scholarship players depart, including several high-profile names:

• Luke Kromenhoek (QB): Former five-star prospect now at Mississippi State.

• Patrick Payton (DE): ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, transferred to LSU.

• Destyn Hill (WR): Talented wideout now at LSU.

• DD Holmes (DE): Four-star defensive end, currently undecided.

• Marvin Jones Jr. (DE): Former five-star recruit, status undecided.

While some attrition was expected after a 2-10 season, these losses highlight the importance of FSU’s portal additions.

🏈 Transfers In

FSU’s 11 current portal commitments include critical upgrades across multiple positions:

• QB Thomas Castellanos (Boston College)

• WR Duce Robinson (USC)

• TE Randy Pittman (UCF)

• OL Luke Petitbon (Wake Forest)

• DE James Williams (Nebraska)

• LB Stefon Thompson (Nebraska)

These players reflect a strategic focus on bolstering both sides of the ball.

🔑 Remaining Needs

FSU’s roster still has gaps to fill. Here’s what’s left on the shopping list:

1. Wide Receiver:

   • Despite landing Duce Robinson, the ‘Noles need one or two more impactful receivers.

2. Defensive Line:

   • With seven departures on the D-line, this is a critical area for reinforcements.

3. Linebacker:

   • FSU is actively pursuing multiple LB options to strengthen depth.

4. Offensive Line Depth:

   • Even with four OL transfers secured, FSU remains in contact with portal linemen to build additional depth.

✈️ Upcoming Visitors

January 1

• RB Rahsul Faison (Utah State): 1,109 rushing yards in 2024.

• LB Marques Watson-Trent (Georgia Southern): Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year.

• LB Caleb LaVallee (North Carolina): Freshman standout in UNC’s Fenway Bowl win.

January 2

• DL Jayson Jenkins (Tennessee): 6’6”, 281 pounds with significant upside.

• DL Deamontae Diggs (Coastal Carolina): Explosive edge rusher with 5 sacks in 2024.

January 3

• WR Traylon Ray (West Virginia): Tallahassee native recovering from a lower-body injury.

🔎 Player Intel

• Rahsul Faison (RB):

  • FSU gets the first visit for the versatile rusher, but competition from Georgia, Utah, and UNC looms.

• Caleb LaVallee (LB):

  • The Seminoles are strong favorites, leveraging prior recruitment ties and immediate playing time in Tony White’s scheme.

• Deamontae Diggs (DL):

  • FSU’s push could secure a commitment, filling a major need on the defensive front.

• Traylon Ray (WR):

  • Medical evaluations on Ray’s injury will shape FSU’s pursuit of the promising receiver.

🎯 Additional Targets

• WR Tru Edwards (Louisiana Tech):

  • With 989 yards and 6 TDs in 2024, Edwards is a prime candidate for the Seminoles, though no visit is confirmed yet.

• DT Mi’Quise Grace (South Dakota):

  • A hot commodity with a seven-figure NIL price tag, making an FSU visit unlikely.

• DE Sincere Edwards (Pitt):

  • Talented freshman DE with ties to FSU OC Gus Malzahn, but no visit scheduled yet.

🚀 Outlook

FSU is poised for a transformative offseason, leveraging the portal to address key weaknesses while holding onto foundational talent. As portal visits heat up, the Seminoles’ strategic approach could set the stage for a major turnaround in 2025.

👉 Stay tuned for updates as FSU makes its final portal push!

🐦 Kirk Herbstreit Sparks Debate on College Football Playoff Picks 🐦

In true X (formerly Twitter) fashion, another college football debate has taken the internet by storm—this time centered around commentator Kirk Herbstreit and his polarizing views on which teams deserve a spot in the College Football Playoff.

🎙️ Herbstreit’s Hot Takes

Herbstreit, a well-known voice in college football, is no stranger to controversy when it comes to his opinions on playoff selections. His recent criticism of the 11-1 Indiana Hoosiers, who lost to Notre Dame in the first round of the CFB Playoff, reignited fan debates.

• Herbstreit’s Claim: Indiana never belonged in the playoff to begin with, a stance that quickly sparked reactions on X.

• Historical Context: This isn’t the first time Herbstreit has ruffled feathers. In 2018, UCF fans clashed with him after claiming their team deserved a shot at Alabama.

💻 The Internet Fires Back

The social media drama escalated when Herbstreit responded to a tweet from the account Poke Nation, which questioned his changing stances on playoff teams.

• Poke Nation’s Argument: They pointed out that Herbstreit previously lobbied for Alabama over undefeated Florida State, accusing him of inconsistency.

• Herbstreit’s Reaction: After engaging briefly, Herbstreit blocked the account, leading to further memes and a viral Community Note exposing his conflicting takes.

👉 What do you think of Herbstreit’s takes? Debate away—on X, of course!

And that’s a wrap!

As Florida State continues to retool its roster and push for excellence across all fronts, the energy is electric heading into the new year. From the hardwood to the transfer portal frenzy, there’s no shortage of action to keep Seminole Nation engaged. Remember to share your thoughts on today’s poll and join the conversation!

Until next time, keep the spear sharp and the spirit high. 🍢 Go Noles!